Legislators press County Executive on consultant contract and jail compliance; grant appropriation put on hold amid budget dispute

Legislators on Feb. 24 pressed the County Executive’s office for details about a proposed professional services contract with Troy Schulte and about compliance work related to the county jail construction, and they moved to hold a grant appropriation amid an ongoing budget dispute.

The proposed Troy Schulte engagement was described in the meeting as a single professional‑services contract still being finalized. Caleb Clifford of the County Executive’s office told the Legislature that the draft under discussion was a three‑month agreement at $5,000 per month (a singular contract totaling $15,000) to assist with the transition to a new county administrator, the annual budget process and assessment work; Clifford said the contract had not been executed and would be submitted to the Legislature when finalized.

Legislator Barker and others pressed whether the contract required a competitive process or legislative approval; the legislative auditor stated that professional services contracts over $5,000 are subject to competitive procurement and must be submitted to the Legislature. Clifford said administration staff would “follow the code of ordinances” when the contract is executed and provide details to the Legislature.

Legislators also asked for updates on the jail construction project and outstanding compliance items involving JE Dunn. Clifford said he did not have detailed compliance answers at the meeting and that administration staff would present details from project managers and public works at a later time. The transcript records several questions about which department handles project management and whether adequate compliance oversight funds appear in the budget.

Separately, the Legislature debated Resolution 5958/5960, which would appropriate $255,130 from the undesignated balance of the 2025 grant fund and accept an addendum to the Community Assistance Program Agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation for Parks + Rec. The legislative auditor recommended holding the item while a budget dispute is unresolved, saying approving incoming grant funds and appropriations while the overall county budget remains in contention could create legal and process problems. After discussion and a motion on the floor, members voted to place the grant appropriation on hold (the transcript records a 5‑yes, 4‑no result on the motion to hold). The chair and other members discussed whether the funds were already included in prior budgets and whether state statute or county code affected the ability to accept or appropriate the funds during the budget disagreement.

What the Legislature requested and next steps: - County Executive staff agreed to provide the draft Troy Schulte contract and to clarify procurement and code compliance requirements before execution. - Administration staff agreed to return with detailed jail‑construction compliance updates (JE Dunn and outstanding compliance components) and to identify which administrative project managers are assigned to the jail project. - The grant appropriation item was held pending additional information and the Legislature’s resolution of broader budget issues.

Quotes (selection): - Caleb Clifford, County Executive's office: “The terms of the contract have not been finalized yet, but once they are finalized, they will be provided to legislature.” - Legislative Auditor (on procurement): “If the county's contract, any kind Beck's contract over $5,000 is required to be bid and submitted to the legislature for approval.”

The transcript records broader questions from several legislators about budget transparency and whether certain contracts or appropriations can proceed while the Legislature and administration debate the adopted 2025 budget and its upload to the county financial systems.